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Analysis: A deal between Deasy and the board? No real surprise
So now we have a hint of what the LA Unified board members were discussing during the four hours they met in private Tuesday night. Part of the conversation dealt with finding a way to reach a financial settlement with Superintendent John Deasy to remove him from his post, as the LA Times reported this morning....
By Michael Janofsky | October 2, 2014
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LAUSD keeps no written records of Deasy performance reviews
As the LA Unified school board prepares to meet privately tomorrow to discuss how to evaluate Superintendent John Deasy in his performance review next month, it might be instructive to have a look at the board’s previous evaluations of him to understand what criteria they used. Except for one thing: They don’t exist. None of...
By Michael Janofsky | September 29, 2014
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Closed LAUSD board session grew out of request by Ratliff
The LA Unified school board’s sudden decision to hold a closed door session next week grew out of a Sept. 17 email request from Monica Ratliff to Board President Richard Vladovic, in which she expressed her desire to “discuss the current personell (sic) matter.” The reference was to Superintendent John Deasy, whose performance evaluation is...
By Michael Janofsky | September 25, 2014
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Another challenger to Kayser enters LAUSD school board race
Andrew Thomas came to the conclusion the LA Unified school board had grown too distant from issues at the school level. He tried one approach at improving things, serving as a member of the Parents Advisory Committee, which was suppose to help shape spending. Not satisfied that it had much impact, Thomas is now running...
By Michael Janofsky | September 22, 2014
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Lots of strike talk expected as teachers union opens conference
United Teachers Los Angeles opens its annual Leadership Conference today, and strike talk will be a prominent theme. As part of the three-day gathering at the Concourse Hotel at LAX, local union leaders will hear from union chiefs from other cities who used the threat of a strike to get a new labor agreement. They’ll...
By Michael Janofsky | September 19, 2014
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Deasy on his critics: Constant attacks are ‘politically motivated’
Under withering criticism over the iPad program, a new student-tracking computer system and discordant relations with the teachers union, LA Unified Superintendent John Deasy said today that the attacks feel politically motivated at the expense of his agenda to improve the lives of district students. “I serve at the pleasure of the board,” he said...
By Michael Janofsky | September 3, 2014
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After runnerup finish in state race, Gutierrez taking on Vladovic
The LA Unified school board president, Richard Vladovic, is no longer running uncontested for his seat next year. Lydia Gutierrez, who nearly advanced to the general election in the California Superintendent of Public Instruction race this year, has filed to oppose Vladovic in 2015, when elections are being held for four school board seats — Districts...
By Michael Janofsky | September 3, 2014
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JUST IN: Vergara ruling stands, judge rules in final review
The judge in Vergara vs. California today released his final review of the case, affirming his preliminary decision in June, that five state statures governing teacher employment rules violate the California constitution by denying students access to a quality public education. In his final ruling, filed yesterday, Judge Rolf Treu, said, “plaintiffs have met their...
By Michael Janofsky | August 28, 2014
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Deasy puts Apple deal on hold, starts new bidding process
*UPDATED LA Unified Superintendent John Deasy told members of the school board yesterday that he is halting the district’s contract with Apple, Inc., effectively ending his grand plan to put an iPad in the hands of every district student. Following the disclosure of emails that suggest he and aides had tailored the bid process to...
By Michael Janofsky | August 26, 2014
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Outside group challenging LAUSD’s view of ‘Parent Trigger’
* UPDATED Parent Revolution, an organization that helps parents petition for change at poor-performing schools, is disputing an LA Unified legal opinion that says the state law that gives parents that right is invalid this year. The conflict came to light in an LA Times story this morning, citing an opinion from a district lawyer...
By Michael Janofsky | August 15, 2014